81_FR_6603 81 FR 6578 - Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program

81 FR 6578 - Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary of Transportation

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 25 (February 8, 2016)

Page Range6578-6584
FR Document2016-02368

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) business centered community- based organizations; (2) transportation-related trade associations; (3) colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501C(6) or 501C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program in the Southwest Region (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii). OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, business training programs, business assessment, management training, counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of information, to encourage and assist small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT funded transportation- related contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local levels. Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' will refer to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and veteran owned small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ``transportation- related'' is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation's modes of transportation. Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU/SBTRCSOUTHWEST-2016-1. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses. Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant. Award Ceiling: $160,000. Award Floor: $145,000. Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above purposes.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6578-6584]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02368]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation


Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center Program

AGENCY: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), 
Office of the Secretary of Transportation. (OST), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability for the Southwest Region SBTRC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the 
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity for; (1) business centered community-
based organizations; (2) transportation-related trade associations; (3) 
colleges and universities; (4) community colleges or; (5) chambers of 
commerce, registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501C(6) or 
501C(3) tax-exempt organizations, to compete for participation in 
OSDBU's Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program 
in the Southwest Region (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii).
    OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements with these 
organizations to provide outreach to the small business community in 
their designated region and provide financial and technical assistance, 
business training programs, business assessment, management training, 
counseling, marketing and outreach, and the dissemination of 
information, to encourage and assist small businesses to become better 
prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT funded transportation-
related contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state and local 
levels. Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' will refer 
to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), disadvantaged business 
enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses (WOSB), HubZone, 
service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and veteran owned 
small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, ``transportation-
related'' is defined as the maintenance, rehabilitation, restructuring, 
improvement, or revitalization of any of the nation's modes of 
transportation.
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU/SBTRCSOUTHWEST-2016-1.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 
Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses.
    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant.
    Award Ceiling: $160,000.
    Award Floor: $145,000.
    Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4), (5) 
& (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged 
businesses in getting transportation-related contracts and 
subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and 
technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to 
take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make 
arrangements to carry out the above purposes.

[[Page 6579]]


DATES: Complete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email on or before March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-
responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to 
request delivery receipt notification for email submissions. DOT plans 
to give notice of award for the competed region on or before April 4, 
2016, by 6:00 p.m. (EST).

ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via 
email at SBTRC@dot.gov and the OSDBU Regional Assistance Division 
Manager, Michelle Harris, at Michelle.Harris@dot.gov (copied).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, contact Mr. Adam Dorsey, Program Analyst, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone: (202) 366-1930. Email: adam.dorsey@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
    1.1 Background
    1.2 Program Description and Goals
    1.3 Description of Competition
    1.4 Duration of Agreements
    1.5 Authority
    1.6 Eligibility Requirements
2. Program Requirements
    2.1 Recipient Responsibilities
    2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
Responsibilities
3. Submission of Proposals
    3.1 Format for Proposals
    3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission
4. Selection Criteria
    4.1 General Criteria
    4.2 Scoring of Applications
    4.3 Conflicts of Interest
Format for Proposals--Appendix A

Full Text of Announcement

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

    The DOT established OSDBU in accordance with Public Law 95-507, an 
amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958. The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small 
and disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of 
Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and 
effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout 
the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, 
Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the 
duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small 
and disadvantaged business and those certified under CFR 49 parts 23 
and or 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and the 
development of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist 
small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and 
manage transportation-related contracts and subcontracts.
    The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC 
program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a 
comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical 
assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small 
business transportation enterprises in their regions.

1.2 Program Description and Goals

    The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with 
chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and 
business-centered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to 
provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT 
grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order 
to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be 
active in the local transportation community in order to identify and 
communicate opportunities and provide the required technical 
assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, 
establish working relationships with the state and local transportation 
agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small 
Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive 
services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and 
their own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as 
information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical 
assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public 
and private entities in the transportation industry.
    Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. 
In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be 
familiar with DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and 
how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, 
subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must 
provide outreach to the regional small business transportation 
community to disseminate information and distribute DOT-published 
marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) 
Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC 
brochures and literature, DOT Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with 
DOT booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) 
information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may 
develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called 
upon to participate in regional and national conferences and seminars. 
Quantities of DOT publications for on-hand inventory and dissemination 
at conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the 
OSDBU office.

1.3 Description of Competition

    The purpose of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to solicit 
proposals from transportation-related trade associations, chambers of 
commerce, community based entities, colleges and universities, 
community colleges, and any other qualifying transportation-related 
non-profit organizations with the desire and ability to partner with 
OSDBU to establish and maintain an SBTRC.
    It is OSDBU's intent to award a Cooperative Agreement to one 
organization in the Southwest Region, from herein referred to as 
``region'', in this solicitation. However, if warranted, OSDBU reserves 
the option to make multiple awards to selected partners. OSDBU also 
reserves the right to modify geographical area covered by the Southwest 
Region SBTRC. Proposals submitted for a region must contain a plan to 
service the states throughout the Southwest Region (California, 
Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii), not just the state or immediate local 
geographical area where the SBTRC is headquartered. The SBTRC 
headquarters must be established in one of the designated states within 
the Southwest Region (California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii).
SBTRC Region Competed in This Solicitation:
Southwest Region (California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii)
    Program requirements and selection criteria, set forth in Sections 
2 and 4 respectively, indicate that the OSDBU intends for the SBTRC to 
be multidimensional; that is, the selected organization must have the 
capacity to effectively access and provide supportive services to the 
broad range of

[[Page 6580]]

small businesses within the respective geographical region. To this 
end, the SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that they currently have 
established relationships within each state in the geographic region 
with whom they may coordinate and establish effective networks with DOT 
grant recipients and local/regional technical assistance agencies to 
maximize resources.
    Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s) 
as follows:

Southwest Region
    Ceiling: $160,000 per year
    Floor: $145,000 per year

    Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis 
of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars 
in each region.
    It is OSDBU's intent to maximize the benefits received by the small 
business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding will 
reimburse an on-site Project Director for 100% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, up to 100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe 
benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and 
all other general and administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners 
will be expected to provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted 
proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which the 
SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference will be given 
to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, 
the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated 
SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and 
administrative expenses. The SBTRC will furnish all labor, facilities 
and equipment to perform the services described in this announcement.

1.4 Duration of Agreements

    The cooperative agreement will be awarded for a period of 12 months 
(one year) with options for two (2) additional one year periods, at the 
discretion of OSDBU. OSDBU will notify the SBTRC of our intention to 
exercise an option year or not to exercise an option year 30 days in 
advance of expiration of the current year. Upon exercising the first 
option year of the Cooperative Agreement, OSDBU will renew the SBTRC 
with a 3% funding increase. Upon exercising the second option year, 
OSDBU will renew the SBTRC with a 1% increase from the first option 
year.

Authority

    DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C.Sec.  332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to 
design and carry out programs to assist small disadvantaged businesses 
in getting transportation-related contracts and subcontracts; develop 
support mechanisms, including management and technical services, that 
will enable small disadvantaged businesses to take advantage of those 
business opportunities; and to make arrangements to carry out the above 
purposes.

1.5 Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, 
community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, 
chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any 
other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which 
has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully 
operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides 
access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-
related contracts.
    In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:
    (A) Be an established 501C(3) or 501C(6) tax-exempt organization 
and provide documentation as verification. No application will be 
accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;
    (B) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience 
prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and 
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which 
proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing 
services to the transportation community is preferable, but not 
required; and
    (C) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in 
the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are 
submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.

2. Program Requirements

2.1 Recipient Responsibilities

(A) Assessments, Business Analyses
    1. Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to 
determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use 
information that is available at no cost to structure programs and 
services that will enable small businesses to become better prepared to 
compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards.
    2. Contact other federal, state and local government agencies, such 
as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), state and local 
highway agencies, state and local airport authorities, and transit 
authorities to identify relevant and current information that may 
support the assessment of the regional small business transportation 
community needs.
(B) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance
    1. Utilize OSDBU's Intake Form to document each small business 
assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. A complete list 
of businesses that have filled out the form shall be submitted as part 
of the SBTRC report, submitted via email to the Regional Assistance 
Division on a regular basis (using the SBTRC Report). This report will 
detail SBTRC activities and performance results. The data provided must 
be supported by the narrative (if asked).
    2. Ensure that an array of information is made available for 
distribution to the small business transportation community that is 
designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/OSDBU services and 
opportunities.
    3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU in order to maintain an on-hand 
inventory of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general 
dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related 
conferences and other events.
(C) Business Counseling
    1. Collaborate with agencies, such as State, Regional, and Local 
Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), 
and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range 
of counseling services to transportation-related small business 
enterprises.
    2. Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each 
counseled participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to 
improve the management of their own small business to expand their 
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts portfolio.
    3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling 
sessions to small businesses per month. This counseling includes in-
person meetings or over the phone, and does not include any time taken 
to do email correspondence.
(D) Planning Committee
    1. Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 
10 members that includes representatives from the regional community 
and federal, state, and local agencies. The

[[Page 6581]]

highway, airport, and transit authorities for the SBTRC's headquarters 
state must have representation on the planning committee. This 
committee shall be established no later than 60 days after the 
execution of the Cooperative agreement between the OSDBU and the 
selected SBRTC.
    2. Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to 
disseminate information about upcoming DOT procurements and SBTRC 
activities.
    3. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and place 
agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members (conference calls 
and/or video conferences are acceptable).
    4. Use the initial session hosted by the SBTRC to explain the 
mission of the committee and identify roles of the staff and the 
members of the group.
    5. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning 
Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Project Director or his/her 
designee.
(E) Outreach Services/Conference Participation
    1. Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) 
and other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses 
that currently or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT 
funded transportation related contracts, and make this database 
available to OSDBU, upon request.
    2. Utilize the database of regional transportation-related small 
businesses to match opportunities identified through the planning 
committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for posting 
solicitations and other Federal procurement-related documents on the 
Internet), and other sources to eligible small businesses and inform 
the small business community about those opportunities.
    3. Develop a ``targeted'' database of firms (100-150) that have the 
capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to 
participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control 
group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to 
working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management 
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local 
levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms.
    4. Identify regional, state and local conferences where a 
significant number of small businesses, with transportation related 
capabilities, are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a 
list of those events to the Regional Assistance Division for review and 
posting on the OSDBU Web site on a regular basis. Clearly identify the 
events designated for SBTRC participation and include recommendations 
for OSDBU participation. This information can be submitted as part of 
the SBTRC Report.
    5. Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses 
at regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and 
workshops. In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in 
an event, the OSDBU will send DOT materials, the OSDBU banner and other 
information that is deemed necessary for the event.
    6. Submit a conference summary report within the `Events' section 
of the SBTRC Report. The conference summary report should summarize the 
activity, contacts made, outreach results, and recommendations for 
continued or discontinued participation in future similar events 
sponsored by that organization.
    7. Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT's grantees 
and recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor 
an OSDBU transportation related conference in the region (commonly 
referred to as ``Small Business Summits''.
    8. Participate in the SBTRC monthly teleconference call, hosted by 
the OSDBU Regional Assistance.
(F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)
    1. Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other 
lending institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/
workshops per year on the STLP, and/or other financial assistance 
programs, to the transportation-related small business community. 
Seminars/workshops must cover the entire STLP/loan process, from 
completion of STLP/loan applications and preparation of the loan 
package.
    2. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services 
to potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan 
approval and generate a minimum of four (4) completed STLP applications 
per year.
    3. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services 
to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses interested in obtaining a loan 
from another type of Government Lending Program. Government Lending 
Programs include Federal, State, and Local level programs. The SBTRC 
will be required to generate a minimum of three (3) completed 
Government Lending Program applications per year.
(G) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
    Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business 
transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your 
region to deliver a minimum of two (2) complete Bonding Education 
Programs and secure at least 3% of the total DBE contract value for 
each transportation project. The BEP consists of the following 
components; (1) the stakeholder's meeting; (2) the educational 
workshops component; (3) the bond readiness component; and (4) follow-
on assistance to BEP participants to provide technical and procurement 
assistance based on the prescriptive plan determined by the BEP. For 
each BEP event, work with the local bond producers/agents in your 
region and the disadvantaged business participants to deliver a minimum 
of ten (10) disadvantaged business participants in the BEP with either 
access to bonding or an increase in bonding capacity. The programs will 
be funded separately and in addition to the amount listed in section 
1.3 of this solicitation.
(H) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI)
    (A) Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4) & 
(7), the SBTRC shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. 
The SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT 
WITI Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, 
attract, and retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in 
the transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for 
outreach activities in the implementation of this program and 
advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and 
transportation entities in their region. The WITI program shall be 
developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the USDOT, state and 
local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector 
transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women 
organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on 
establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The 
SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI event and attend at least 5 
events where WITI is presented and marketed.
    (B) Each region will establish a Women in Transportation Advisory 
Committee. The committee will provide a forum to identify and provide 
workable solutions to barriers that women-owned businesses encounter in 
transportation-related careers. The committee will have 5 members 
(including the SBTRC Project Director) with a 1 year membership. 
Meetings

[[Page 6582]]

will be conducted on a quarterly basis at an agreeable place and time.

2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) 
Responsibilities

    (A) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, 
implementing and evaluating activities under this announcement.
    (B) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.
    (C) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and 
overall SBTRC performance.
    (D) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with 
federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical 
assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.
    (E) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program 
activities and information among all SBTRC regions.
    (F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/OSDBU materials and other relevant 
transportation related information for dissemination.
    (G) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them 
of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with 
small businesses in their region.
    (H) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for 
reporting purposes under the program.
    (I) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. 
Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of 
the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years.

3. Submission of Proposals

3.1 Format for Proposals

    Each proposal must be submitted to DOT's OSDBU in the format set 
forth in the application form attached as Appendix A to this 
announcement.

3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission

    Any eligible organization, as defined in Section 1.6 of this 
announcement, will submit only one proposal per region for 
consideration by OSDBU.
    Applications must be double spaced, and printed in a font size not 
smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 35 single-sided 
pages, not including any requested attachments. All pages should be 
numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or 
other information pertinent to the application must be included in a 
single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted electronically 
to OSDBU at SBTRC@dot.gov and to the Regional Assistance Division 
Manager, Michelle Harris, at Michelle.Harris@dot.gov.
    The applicant is advised to turn on request delivery receipt 
notification for email submission. Proposals must be received by DOT/
OSDBU no later than March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(EST).

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 General Criteria

    OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, 
using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:
    Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number 
of points = 100);

 Approach and strategy (25 points)
 Linkages (25 points)
 Organizational Capability (25 points)
 Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points)
 Cost Proposal (10 points)

(A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall 
mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the 
small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The 
applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in 
Section 2.1 will be implemented and executed in the organization's 
regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed 
objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with 
OSDBU goals and the applicant organization's overall mission. OSDBU 
will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate 
innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses 
to become successful transportation contractors and increase their 
ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial 
assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct 
costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will 
consider the quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program 
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be 
successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.
(B) Linkages (25 Points)
    The applicant must describe their established relationships within 
their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU 
will consider innovative aspects of the applicant's approach and 
strategy to build upon their existing relationships and established 
networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The 
applicant should describe their strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), 
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), 
State DOTs, and State highway supportive services contractors. In 
rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates ability to be multidimensional. The applicant 
must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad range of 
supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of 
transportation-related small businesses within their respective 
geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to 
which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period 
of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in 
the execution of that strategy.
(C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)
    The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational 
capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section 2. The 
applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past 
performance experience to successfully provide outreach to the small 
business transportation resources in their geographical area and carry 
out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will 
consider the extent to which the applicant's organization has recent, 
relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the 
needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for 
demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant 
must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to 
use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the 
applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical 
facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for 
sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general 
and administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe 
their

[[Page 6583]]

administrative and financial management staff. It will be the 
responsibility of the successful candidate to not only provide the 
services outlined herein to small businesses in the transportation 
industry, but to also successfully manage and maintain their internal 
financial, payment, and invoicing process with their financial 
management offices. OSDBU will place an emphasis on capabilities of the 
applicant's financial management staff. Additionally, a site visit may 
be required prior to award for those candidates that are being strongly 
considered. If necessary, a member of the OSDBU team will contact those 
candidates to schedule the site visits prior to the award of the 
agreement.
(D) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)
    The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed 
personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden 
factors, educational levels and previous experience clearly delineated. 
The applicant's project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and 
able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small 
businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the 
Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed resumes must 
be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside consultants and 
subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated 
experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the 
proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the 
responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director's 
time must be dedicated to the SBTRC. Both the Executive Director and 
the Project Director must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU 
will consider the extent to which the applicant's proposed Staffing 
Plan; (a) clearly meets the education and experience requirements to 
accomplish the objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates 
staff responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; 
(c) presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant's 
proposed approach and strategy.
(E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)
    Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 12 
month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching 
resources. The applicant's budget must be adequate to support the 
proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project 
objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot 
exceed the ceiling outlined in Section 1.3: Description of Competition 
of this RFP per fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide in-
kind costs and other innovative cost approaches.

4.2 Scoring of Applications

    A review panel will score each application based upon the 
evaluation criteria listed above. Points will be given for each 
evaluation criteria category, not to exceed the maximum number of 
points allowed for each category. Proposals which are deemed non-
responsive, do not meet the established criteria, or incomplete at the 
time of submission will be disqualified.
    OSDBU will perform a responsibility determination of the 
prospective awardee in the region, which may include a site visit, 
before awarding the cooperative agreement.

4.3 Conflicts of Interest

    Applicants must submit signed statements by key personnel and all 
organization principals indicating that they, or members of their 
immediate families, do not have a personal, business or financial 
interest in any DOT-funded transportation project, nor any 
relationships with local or state transportation agencies that may have 
the appearance of a conflict of interest.

APPENDIX A

Format for Proposals for the Department of Transportation Office of 
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Program

    Submitted proposals for the DOT, Office of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Small Business Transportation 
Resource Center Program must contain the following 12 sections and 
be organized in the following order:

1. Table of Contents

    Identify all parts, sections and attachments of the application.

2. Application Summary

    Provide a summary overview of the following:
     The applicant's proposed SBTRC region and city and key 
elements of the plan of action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC 
objectives.
     The applicant's relevant organizational experience and 
capabilities.

3. Understanding of The Work

    Provide a narrative which contains specific project information 
as follows:
     The applicant will describe its understanding of the 
OSDBU's SBTRC program mission and the role of the applicant's 
proposed SBTRC in advancing the program goals.
     The applicant will describe specific outreach needs of 
transportation-related small businesses in the applicant's region 
and how the SBTRC will address the identified needs.

4. Approach and Strategy

     Describe the applicant's plan of action/strategy for 
conducting the program in terms of the tasks to be performed.
     Describe the specific services or activities to be 
performed and how these services/activities will be implemented.
     Describe innovative and creative approaches to assist 
small businesses to become successful transportation contractors and 
increase their ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and 
financial assistance programs.
     Estimated direct costs, other than labor, to execute 
the proposed strategy.

5. Linkages

     Describe established relationships within the 
geographic region and demonstrate the ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies.
     Describe the strategy to obtain support and 
collaboration on SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and recipients, 
transportation prime contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers 
(MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Procurement 
Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Small Business Development 
Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway supportive services 
contractors.
     Describe the outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the 
period of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning 
Committee in the execution of that strategy.

6. Organizational Capability

     Describe recent and relevant past successful 
performance in addressing the needs of small businesses, 
particularly with respect to transportation-related small 
businesses.
     Describe internal technical, financial management, and 
administrative resources.
     Propose a plan for sufficient matching alternative 
financial resources to fund the general and administrative costs of 
the SBTRC.

7. Staff Capability and Experience

     List proposed key personnel, their salaries and 
proposed fringe benefit factors.
     Describe the education, qualifications and relevant 
experience of key personnel. Attach detailed resumes.
     Proposed staffing plan. Describe how personnel are to 
be organized for the program and how they will be used to accomplish 
program objectives. Outline staff responsibilities, accountability 
and a schedule for conducting program tasks.

[[Page 6584]]

8. Cost Proposal

     Outline the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 
12 month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative 
matching resources. Clearly identify the portion of the costs funded 
by OSDBU.
     Provide a brief narrative linking the cost proposal to 
the proposed strategy.

9. Proof of Tax Exempt Status

10. Assurances Signature Form

    Complete the attached Standard Form 424B ASSURANCES-NON-
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS identified as Attachment 1.

11. Certification Signature Forms

    Complete form DOTF2307-1 DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION 
FOR a GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL identified as attachment 2 
and Form DOTF2308-1 CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, 
GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 
3.

Signed Conflict of Interest Statements

    The statements must say that they, or members of their immediate 
families, do not have a personal, business or financial interest in 
any DOT-funded transportation projects, nor any relationships with 
local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance 
of a conflict of interest.

12. Standard Form 424

    Complete Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance 
identified as Attachment 4.
    PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED 
OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION.

    Issued in Washington, DC, January 20, 2016.
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 2016-02368 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P



                                                    6578                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Francis R. Anaya                                        Maurice R. Davis, Jr.                                 Disadvantaged Business Utilization
                                                    Helene E. Armistad                                      Jeffery K. Dorlan                                     (OSDBU) announces the opportunity
                                                    Richard L. Austin                                       Charles J. Ehlert                                     for; (1) business centered community-
                                                    Melvin T. Ayer                                          Brett H. Friederichs                                  based organizations; (2) transportation-
                                                    Michael J. Baca                                         Luciano G. Garcia                                     related trade associations; (3) colleges
                                                    Richard A. Bassett                                      Karla D. Holmes                                       and universities; (4) community colleges
                                                    Merle G. Bernhardt                                      Stephen D. Hunt                                       or; (5) chambers of commerce, registered
                                                    Richard C. Besk                                         Alvin D. Hunter                                       with the Internal Revenue Service as
                                                    Rodney S. Burnopp                                       Thomas M. Kaley, Jr.                                  501C(6) or 501C(3) tax-exempt
                                                    Mauel Cobos                                             Eugene A. Leffelman                                   organizations, to compete for
                                                    Edward L. Cox                                           Michael A. Mentzer                                    participation in OSDBU’s Small
                                                    Joshua P. Doucette                                      Robert B. Morris                                      Business Transportation Resource
                                                    Kraig Fisher                                            Alexis O. Paulme                                      Center (SBTRC) program in the
                                                    Brian R. Fredrickson                                    Jeffrey E. Pennington                                 Southwest Region (California, Nevada,
                                                    Gregg A. Heinrich                                       Kenneth M. Pisano                                     Arizona, and Hawaii).
                                                    Darrell E. Hunter                                       Richard G. Roberts                                       OSDBU will enter into Cooperative
                                                    Brad L. Jeffrey                                         Malcolm S. Rutherford                                 Agreements with these organizations to
                                                    Randall Kaiser                                          William A. Shaw                                       provide outreach to the small business
                                                    Bradley A. Kensmoe                                      Clinton Starkey                                       community in their designated region
                                                    Richard D. Lindell                                      James R. Stout
                                                                                                                                                                  and provide financial and technical
                                                    Jeffrey W. Lowe                                         Clinton A. Swartz
                                                                                                                                                                  assistance, business training programs,
                                                                                                            Eduardo R. Wagner
                                                    Nathaniel Lowery                                                                                              business assessment, management
                                                                                                            Donald E. Wojtaszek
                                                    Nicholas Mattia                                                                                               training, counseling, marketing and
                                                                                                            Theodore J. Wuebben
                                                    Lloyd S. McFerron                                                                                             outreach, and the dissemination of
                                                    David R. Nolte                                             Finally, the following 14 applicants               information, to encourage and assist
                                                    Juan Ogando                                             perform transportation for the federal                small businesses to become better
                                                    Haley J. O’Neal                                         government, state, or any political sub-              prepared to compete for, obtain, and
                                                    Cody J. Osland                                          division of the state.                                manage DOT funded transportation-
                                                    Robert H. Owen                                          Glenn C. Allen                                        related contracts and subcontracts at the
                                                    Jorge Pedroza                                           Bradford M. Balint                                    federal, state and local levels.
                                                    Andrew B. Pfeifer                                       Scott M. Boutwell                                     Throughout this notice, the term ‘‘small
                                                    David D. Queckboerner                                   Bill J. Brookhart                                     business’’ will refer to: 8(a), small
                                                    Garry A. Reynolds                                       James J. Cribbs                                       disadvantaged businesses (SDB),
                                                    Marvin R. Roetcisoender                                 Gerald M. Garcia                                      disadvantaged business enterprises
                                                    Leo C. Royer                                            Duane R. Greene                                       (DBE), women owned small businesses
                                                    John J. Schaeftlein Jr.                                 Billy D. Johnson                                      (WOSB), HubZone, service disabled
                                                    Clifford L. Scheel                                      Darla J. Lloyd                                        veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and
                                                    Joseph R. Sherman                                       Derek E. Madrigal                                     veteran owned small businesses
                                                    Robert D. Short                                         Dru V. Olson                                          (VOSB). Throughout this notice,
                                                    Jerome J. Trombly                                       Keith A. Smith                                        ‘‘transportation-related’’ is defined as
                                                    Leone D. Vargason                                       John L. Umland                                        the maintenance, rehabilitation,
                                                    Robert Williams                                         Daniel R. Zimmerman                                   restructuring, improvement, or
                                                    Jack O. Yates                                             Issued on: January 21, 2016.                        revitalization of any of the nation’s
                                                       The following 2 applicants held                      Larry W. Minor,                                       modes of transportation.
                                                    medical cards valid for less than six                   Associate Administrator for Policy.                      Funding Opportunity Number:
                                                    months:                                                 [FR Doc. 2016–02367 Filed 2–5–16; 8:45 am]            USDOT–OST–OSDBU/
                                                    Abelardo J. Guiterrez                                   BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P                                SBTRCSOUTHWEST–2016–1.
                                                    Edward L. Russell                                                                                                Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                                                                                                                                  Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910
                                                       The following 3 applicants drove
                                                                                                            DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged
                                                    interstate while restricted to intrastate:
                                                                                                                                                                  Businesses.
                                                    Thomas L. Pelletier                                     Office of the Secretary of                               Type of Award: Cooperative
                                                    Mickey J. Spaulding                                     Transportation                                        Agreement Grant.
                                                    Douglas E. Weeks                                                                                                 Award Ceiling: $160,000.
                                                       The following 34 applicants will not                 Notice of Funding Availability for the                   Award Floor: $145,000.
                                                    be driving interstate, interstate                       Small Business Transportation
                                                                                                                                                                     Program Authority: DOT is authorized
                                                    commerce, or are not required to carry                  Resource Center Program
                                                                                                                                                                  under 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to
                                                    a DOT medical card:                                     AGENCY:  Office of Small and                          design and carry out programs to assist
                                                    Dwayne P. Arnac                                         Disadvantaged Business Utilization                    small disadvantaged businesses in
                                                    Edward L. Arnold                                                                                              getting transportation-related contracts
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                            (OSDBU), Office of the Secretary of
                                                    Glen M. Asquith                                         Transportation. (OST), Department of                  and subcontracts; develop support
                                                    Daniel A. Bahm                                          Transportation (DOT).                                 mechanisms, including management
                                                    Edward J. Blaskovich                                    ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability                and technical services, that will enable
                                                    Philip L. Bradford                                      for the Southwest Region SBTRC.                       small disadvantaged businesses to take
                                                    Scott Bradford                                                                                                advantage of those business
                                                    Richard L. Brandt                                       SUMMARY:   The Department of                          opportunities; and to make
                                                    Anthony Brown                                           Transportation (DOT), Office of the                   arrangements to carry out the above
                                                    Lawrence E. Cercle                                      Secretary (OST), Office of Small and                  purposes.


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00078   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1


                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices                                                6579

                                                    DATES:  Complete Proposals must be                      Resource Center (MRC) which includes                  business transportation community to
                                                    electronically submitted to OSDBU via                   the duties of advocacy, outreach and                  disseminate information and distribute
                                                    email on or before March 25, 2016, 6:00                 financial services on behalf of small and             DOT-published marketing materials,
                                                    p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).                       disadvantaged business and those                      such as Short Term Lending Program
                                                    Proposals received after the deadline                   certified under CFR 49 parts 23 and or                (STLP) Information, Bonding Education
                                                    will be considered non-responsive and                   26 as Disadvantaged Business                          Program (BEP) information, SBTRC
                                                    will not be reviewed. The applicant is                  Enterprises (DBE) and the development                 brochures and literature, DOT
                                                    advised to request delivery receipt                     of programs to encourage, stimulate,                  Procurement Forecasts; Contracting
                                                    notification for email submissions. DOT                 promote and assist small businesses to                with DOT booklets, Women and Girls in
                                                    plans to give notice of award for the                   become better prepared to compete for,                Transportation Initiative (WITI)
                                                    competed region on or before April 4,                   obtain and manage transportation-                     information, and any other materials or
                                                    2016, by 6:00 p.m. (EST).                               related contracts and subcontracts.                   resources that DOT or OSDBU may
                                                    ADDRESSES: Applications must be                            The Regional Assistance Division of                develop for this purpose. To maximize
                                                    electronically submitted to OSDBU via                   OSDBU, through the SBTRC program,                     outreach, the SBTRC may be called
                                                    email at SBTRC@dot.gov and the                          allows OSDBU to partner with local                    upon to participate in regional and
                                                    OSDBU Regional Assistance Division                      organizations to offer a comprehensive                national conferences and seminars.
                                                    Manager, Michelle Harris, at                            delivery system of business training,                 Quantities of DOT publications for on-
                                                    Michelle.Harris@dot.gov (copied).                       technical assistance and dissemination                hand inventory and dissemination at
                                                                                                            of information, targeted towards small                conferences and seminars will be
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                                                                            business transportation enterprises in                available upon request from the OSDBU
                                                    further information concerning this
                                                                                                            their regions.                                        office.
                                                    notice, contact Mr. Adam Dorsey,
                                                    Program Analyst, U.S. Department of                     1.2 Program Description and Goals                     1.3      Description of Competition
                                                    Transportation, Office of Small and                        The national SBTRC program utilizes
                                                    Disadvantaged Business Utilization,                                                                              The purpose of this Request For
                                                                                                            Cooperative Agreements with chambers                  Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals
                                                    1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,                             of commerce, trade associations,
                                                    Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:                                                                              from transportation-related trade
                                                                                                            educational institutions and business-                associations, chambers of commerce,
                                                    (202) 366–1930. Email: adam.dorsey@                     centered community based
                                                    dot.gov.                                                                                                      community based entities, colleges and
                                                                                                            organizations to establish SBTRCs to                  universities, community colleges, and
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              provide business training, technical                  any other qualifying transportation-
                                                                                                            assistance and information to DOT                     related non-profit organizations with the
                                                    Table of Contents                                       grantees and recipients, prime                        desire and ability to partner with
                                                    1. Introduction                                         contractors and subcontractors. In order
                                                       1.1 Background
                                                                                                                                                                  OSDBU to establish and maintain an
                                                                                                            to be effective and serve their target
                                                       1.2 Program Description and Goals                                                                          SBTRC.
                                                                                                            audience, the SBTRCs must be active in
                                                       1.3 Description of Competition                                                                                It is OSDBU’s intent to award a
                                                                                                            the local transportation community in
                                                       1.4 Duration of Agreements                                                                                 Cooperative Agreement to one
                                                                                                            order to identify and communicate
                                                       1.5 Authority                                                                                              organization in the Southwest Region,
                                                       1.6 Eligibility Requirements                         opportunities and provide the required
                                                                                                                                                                  from herein referred to as ‘‘region’’, in
                                                    2. Program Requirements                                 technical assistance. SBTRCs must
                                                                                                                                                                  this solicitation. However, if warranted,
                                                       2.1 Recipient Responsibilities                       already have, or demonstrate the ability
                                                                                                                                                                  OSDBU reserves the option to make
                                                       2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged                to, establish working relationships with
                                                                                                                                                                  multiple awards to selected partners.
                                                         Business Utilization Responsibilities              the state and local transportation
                                                    3. Submission of Proposals                              agencies and technical assistance                     OSDBU also reserves the right to modify
                                                       3.1 Format for Proposals                             agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of                 geographical area covered by the
                                                       3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline              Commerce’s Minority Business                          Southwest Region SBTRC. Proposals
                                                         for Submission                                     Development Centers (MBDCs), Small                    submitted for a region must contain a
                                                    4. Selection Criteria
                                                                                                            Business Development Centers (SBDCs),                 plan to service the states throughout the
                                                       4.1 General Criteria                                                                                       Southwest Region (California, Arizona,
                                                       4.2 Scoring of Applications                          and Procurement Technical Assistance
                                                                                                            Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT                  Nevada, and Hawaii), not just the state
                                                       4.3 Conflicts of Interest                                                                                  or immediate local geographical area
                                                    Format for Proposals—Appendix A                         highway supportive services contractors
                                                                                                            in their region. Utilizing these                      where the SBTRC is headquartered. The
                                                    Full Text of Announcement                               relationships and their own expertise,                SBTRC headquarters must be
                                                                                                            the SBTRCs are involved in activities                 established in one of the designated
                                                    1. Introduction
                                                                                                            such as information dissemination,                    states within the Southwest Region
                                                    1.1 Background                                          small business counseling, and                        (California, Arizona, Nevada, and
                                                       The DOT established OSDBU in                         technical assistance with small                       Hawaii).
                                                    accordance with Public Law 95–507, an                   businesses currently doing business                   SBTRC Region Competed in This
                                                    amendment to the Small Business Act                     with public and private entities in the               Solicitation:
                                                    and the Small Business Investment Act                   transportation industry.
                                                    of 1958. The mission of OSDBU at DOT                       Effective outreach is critical to the              Southwest Region (California, Arizona,
                                                    is to ensure that the small and                         success of the SBTRC program. In order                Nevada, and Hawaii)
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    disadvantaged business policies and                     for their outreach efforts to be effective,              Program requirements and selection
                                                    goals of the Secretary of Transportation                SBTRCs must be familiar with DOT’s                    criteria, set forth in Sections 2 and 4
                                                    are developed and implemented in a                      Operating Administrations, its funding                respectively, indicate that the OSDBU
                                                    fair, efficient and effective manner to                 sources, and how funding is awarded to                intends for the SBTRC to be
                                                    serve small and disadvantaged                           DOT grantees, recipients, contractors,                multidimensional; that is, the selected
                                                    businesses throughout the country. The                  subcontractors, and its financial                     organization must have the capacity to
                                                    OSDBU also administers the provisions                   assistance programs. SBTRCs must                      effectively access and provide
                                                    of Title 49, Section 332, the Minority                  provide outreach to the regional small                supportive services to the broad range of


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00079   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM    08FEN1


                                                    6580                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices

                                                    small businesses within the respective                  carry out programs to assist small                    transit authorities to identify relevant
                                                    geographical region. To this end, the                   disadvantaged businesses in getting                   and current information that may
                                                    SBTRC must be able to demonstrate that                  transportation-related contracts and                  support the assessment of the regional
                                                    they currently have established                         subcontracts; develop support                         small business transportation
                                                    relationships within each state in the                  mechanisms, including management                      community needs.
                                                    geographic region with whom they may                    and technical services, that will enable
                                                                                                                                                                  (B) General Management & Technical
                                                    coordinate and establish effective                      small disadvantaged businesses to take
                                                    networks with DOT grant recipients and                                                                        Training and Assistance
                                                                                                            advantage of those business
                                                    local/regional technical assistance                     opportunities; and to make                               1. Utilize OSDBU’s Intake Form to
                                                    agencies to maximize resources.                         arrangements to carry out the above                   document each small business assisted
                                                       Cooperative agreement awards will be                 purposes.                                             by the SBTRC and type of service(s)
                                                    distributed to the region(s) as follows:                                                                      provided. A complete list of businesses
                                                                                                            1.5 Eligibility Requirements                          that have filled out the form shall be
                                                    Southwest Region
                                                       Ceiling: $160,000 per year                              To be eligible, an organization must               submitted as part of the SBTRC report,
                                                       Floor: $145,000 per year                             be an established, nonprofit,                         submitted via email to the Regional
                                                       Cooperative agreement awards by                      community-based organization,                         Assistance Division on a regular basis
                                                    region are based upon an analysis of                    transportation-related trade association,             (using the SBTRC Report). This report
                                                    DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and                   chamber of commerce, college or                       will detail SBTRC activities and
                                                    US DOT transportation dollars in each                   university, community college, and any                performance results. The data provided
                                                    region.                                                 other qualifying transportation-related               must be supported by the narrative (if
                                                       It is OSDBU’s intent to maximize the                 non-profit organization which has the                 asked).
                                                    benefits received by the small business                 documented experience and capacity                       2. Ensure that an array of information
                                                    transportation community through the                    necessary to successfully operate and                 is made available for distribution to the
                                                    SBTRC. Funding will reimburse an on-                    administer a coordinated delivery                     small business transportation
                                                    site Project Director for 100% of salary                system that provides access for small                 community that is designed to inform
                                                    plus fringe benefits, an on-site Executive              businesses to prepare and compete for                 and educate the community on DOT/
                                                    Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe                transportation-related contracts.                     OSDBU services and opportunities.
                                                    benefits, up to 100% of a Project                          In addition, to be eligible, the                      3. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU in
                                                    Coordinator salary plus fringe benefits,                applicant organization must:                          order to maintain an on-hand inventory
                                                    the cost of designated SBTRC space,                        (A) Be an established 501C(3) or                   of DOT/OSDBU informational materials
                                                    other direct costs, and all other general               501C(6) tax-exempt organization and                   for general dissemination and for
                                                    and administrative expenses. Selected                   provide documentation as verification.                distribution at transportation-related
                                                    SBTRC partners will be expected to                      No application will be accepted without               conferences and other events.
                                                    provide in-kind administrative support.                 proof of tax-exempt status;
                                                                                                               (B) Have at least one year of                      (C) Business Counseling
                                                    Submitted proposals must contain an
                                                    alternative funding source with which                   documented and continuous experience                    1. Collaborate with agencies, such as
                                                    the SBTRC will fund administrative                      prior to the date of application in                   State, Regional, and Local
                                                    support costs. Preference will be given                 providing advocacy, outreach, and                     Transportation Government Agencies,
                                                    to proposals containing in-kind                         technical assistance to small businesses              SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s
                                                    contributions for the Project Director,                 within the region in which proposed                   Minority Business Development Centers
                                                    the Executive Director, the Project                     services will be provided. Prior                      (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired
                                                    Coordinator, cost of designated SBTRC                   performance providing services to the                 Executives (SCORE), Procurement
                                                    space, other direct costs, and all other                transportation community is preferable,               Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs),
                                                    general and administrative expenses.                    but not required; and                                 and Small Business Development
                                                    The SBTRC will furnish all labor,                          (C) Have an office physically located              Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range
                                                    facilities and equipment to perform the                 within the proposed city in the                       of counseling services to transportation-
                                                    services described in this                              designated headquarters state in the                  related small business enterprises.
                                                    announcement.                                           region for which they are submitting the                2. Create a technical assistance plan
                                                                                                            proposal that is readily accessible to the            that will provide each counseled
                                                    1.4 Duration of Agreements                              public.                                               participant with the knowledge and
                                                      The cooperative agreement will be                                                                           skills necessary to improve the
                                                    awarded for a period of 12 months (one                  2. Program Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                  management of their own small
                                                    year) with options for two (2) additional               2.1    Recipient Responsibilities                     business to expand their transportation-
                                                    one year periods, at the discretion of                                                                        related contracts and subcontracts
                                                    OSDBU. OSDBU will notify the SBTRC                      (A) Assessments, Business Analyses
                                                                                                                                                                  portfolio.
                                                    of our intention to exercise an option                     1. Conduct an assessment of small                    3. Provide a minimum of 20 hours of
                                                    year or not to exercise an option year 30               businesses in the SBTRC region to                     individual or group counseling sessions
                                                    days in advance of expiration of the                    determine their training and technical                to small businesses per month. This
                                                    current year. Upon exercising the first                 assistance needs, and use information                 counseling includes in-person meetings
                                                    option year of the Cooperative                          that is available at no cost to structure             or over the phone, and does not include
                                                                                                            programs and services that will enable
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Agreement, OSDBU will renew the                                                                               any time taken to do email
                                                    SBTRC with a 3% funding increase.                       small businesses to become better                     correspondence.
                                                    Upon exercising the second option year,                 prepared to compete for and receive
                                                                                                            transportation-related contract awards.               (D) Planning Committee
                                                    OSDBU will renew the SBTRC with a
                                                    1% increase from the first option year.                    2. Contact other federal, state and                   1. Establish a Regional Planning
                                                                                                            local government agencies, such as the                Committee consisting of at least 10
                                                    Authority                                               U.S. Small Business Administration                    members that includes representatives
                                                      DOT is authorized under 49                            (SBA), state and local highway agencies,              from the regional community and
                                                    U.S.C.§ 332(b)(4), (5) & (7) to design and              state and local airport authorities, and              federal, state, and local agencies. The


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00080   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1


                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices                                             6581

                                                    highway, airport, and transit authorities               posting on the OSDBU Web site on a                    (G) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
                                                    for the SBTRC’s headquarters state must                 regular basis. Clearly identify the events               Work with OSDBU, bonding industry
                                                    have representation on the planning                     designated for SBTRC participation and                partners, local small business
                                                    committee. This committee shall be                      include recommendations for OSDBU                     transportation stakeholders, and local
                                                    established no later than 60 days after                 participation. This information can be                bond producers/agents in your region to
                                                    the execution of the Cooperative                        submitted as part of the SBTRC Report.                deliver a minimum of two (2) complete
                                                    agreement between the OSDBU and the                        5. Conduct outreach and disseminate                Bonding Education Programs and secure
                                                    selected SBRTC.                                         information to small businesses at                    at least 3% of the total DBE contract
                                                      2. Provide a forum for the federal,                   regional transportation-related                       value for each transportation project.
                                                    state, and local agencies to disseminate                conferences, seminars, and workshops.                 The BEP consists of the following
                                                    information about upcoming DOT                          In the event that the SBTRC is requested              components; (1) the stakeholder’s
                                                    procurements and SBTRC activities.                      to participate in an event, the OSDBU                 meeting; (2) the educational workshops
                                                      3. Hold either monthly or quarterly
                                                                                                            will send DOT materials, the OSDBU                    component; (3) the bond readiness
                                                    meetings at a time and place agreed
                                                                                                            banner and other information that is                  component; and (4) follow-on assistance
                                                    upon by SBTRC and planning
                                                                                                            deemed necessary for the event.                       to BEP participants to provide technical
                                                    committee members (conference calls
                                                                                                               6. Submit a conference summary                     and procurement assistance based on
                                                    and/or video conferences are
                                                                                                            report within the ‘Events’ section of the             the prescriptive plan determined by the
                                                    acceptable).
                                                      4. Use the initial session hosted by the              SBTRC Report. The conference                          BEP. For each BEP event, work with the
                                                    SBTRC to explain the mission of the                     summary report should summarize the                   local bond producers/agents in your
                                                    committee and identify roles of the staff               activity, contacts made, outreach                     region and the disadvantaged business
                                                    and the members of the group.                           results, and recommendations for                      participants to deliver a minimum of ten
                                                      5. Responsibility for the agenda and                  continued or discontinued participation               (10) disadvantaged business participants
                                                    direction of the Planning Committee                     in future similar events sponsored by                 in the BEP with either access to bonding
                                                    should be handled by the SBTRC Project                  that organization.                                    or an increase in bonding capacity. The
                                                    Director or his/her designee.                                                                                 programs will be funded separately and
                                                                                                               7. Upon request by OSDBU,                          in addition to the amount listed in
                                                    (E) Outreach Services/Conference                        coordinate efforts with DOT’s grantees                section 1.3 of this solicitation.
                                                    Participation                                           and recipients at the state and/or local
                                                                                                            levels to sponsor or cosponsor an                     (H) Women and Girls in Transportation
                                                       1. Utilize the services of the System                                                                      Initiative (WITI)
                                                                                                            OSDBU transportation related
                                                    for Award Management (SAM) and
                                                                                                            conference in the region (commonly                       (A) Pursuant to Executive Order
                                                    other sources to construct a database of
                                                                                                            referred to as ‘‘Small Business                       13506, and 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4) & (7), the
                                                    regional small businesses that currently
                                                                                                            Summits’’.                                            SBTRC shall administer the WITI in
                                                    or may in the future participate in DOT
                                                    direct and DOT funded transportation                       8. Participate in the SBTRC monthly                their geographical region. The SBTRC
                                                    related contracts, and make this                        teleconference call, hosted by the                    shall implement the DOT WITI program
                                                    database available to OSDBU, upon                       OSDBU Regional Assistance.                            as defined by the DOT WITI Policy. The
                                                    request.                                                                                                      WITI program is designed to identify,
                                                                                                            (F) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)                 educate, attract, and retain women and
                                                       2. Utilize the database of regional
                                                    transportation-related small businesses                    1. Work with STLP participating                    girls from a variety of disciplines in the
                                                    to match opportunities identified                       banks and if not available, other lending             transportation industry. The SBTRC
                                                    through the planning committee forum,                   institutions to deliver a minimum of                  shall also be responsible for outreach
                                                    FedBiz Opps (a web-based system for                     five (5) seminars/workshops per year on               activities in the implementation of this
                                                    posting solicitations and other Federal                 the STLP, and/or other financial                      program and advertising the WITI
                                                    procurement-related documents on the                    assistance programs, to the                           program to all colleges and universities
                                                    Internet), and other sources to eligible                transportation-related small business                 and transportation entities in their
                                                    small businesses and inform the small                   community. Seminars/workshops must                    region. The WITI program shall be
                                                    business community about those                          cover the entire STLP/loan process,                   developed in conjunction with the skill
                                                    opportunities.                                          from completion of STLP/loan                          needs of the USDOT, state and local
                                                       3. Develop a ‘‘targeted’’ database of                applications and preparation of the loan              transportation agencies and appropriate
                                                    firms (100–150) that have the capacity                  package.                                              private sector transportation-related
                                                    and capabilities, and are ready, willing                                                                      participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs,
                                                    and able to participate in DOT contracts                   2. Provide direct support, technical               and women organizations involved in
                                                    and subcontracts immediately. This                      support, and advocacy services to                     transportation. Emphasis shall be placed
                                                    control group will receive ample                        potential STLP applicants to increase                 on establishing partnerships with
                                                    resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to               the probability of STLP loan approval                 transportation-related businesses. The
                                                    working capital, bonding assistance,                    and generate a minimum of four (4)                    SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI
                                                    business counseling, management                         completed STLP applications per year.                 event and attend at least 5 events where
                                                    assistance and direct referrals to DOT                     3. Provide direct support, technical               WITI is presented and marketed.
                                                    agencies at the state and local levels,                 support, and advocacy services to Small                  (B) Each region will establish a
                                                    and to prime contractors as effective                   and Disadvantaged Businesses                          Women in Transportation Advisory
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    subcontractor firms.                                    interested in obtaining a loan from                   Committee. The committee will provide
                                                       4. Identify regional, state and local                another type of Government Lending                    a forum to identify and provide
                                                    conferences where a significant number                  Program. Government Lending Programs                  workable solutions to barriers that
                                                    of small businesses, with transportation                include Federal, State, and Local level               women-owned businesses encounter in
                                                    related capabilities, are expected to be                programs. The SBTRC will be required                  transportation-related careers. The
                                                    in attendance. Maintain and submit a                    to generate a minimum of three (3)                    committee will have 5 members
                                                    list of those events to the Regional                    completed Government Lending                          (including the SBTRC Project Director)
                                                    Assistance Division for review and                      Program applications per year.                        with a 1 year membership. Meetings


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00081   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1


                                                    6582                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices

                                                    will be conducted on a quarterly basis                  dot.gov and to the Regional Assistance                resources. OSDBU will consider
                                                    at an agreeable place and time.                         Division Manager, Michelle Harris, at                 innovative aspects of the applicant’s
                                                                                                            Michelle.Harris@dot.gov.                              approach and strategy to build upon
                                                    2.2 Office of Small and Disadvantaged
                                                                                                              The applicant is advised to turn on                 their existing relationships and
                                                    Business Utilization (OSDBU)
                                                                                                            request delivery receipt notification for             established networks with existing
                                                    Responsibilities                                                                                              resources in their geographical area. The
                                                                                                            email submission. Proposals must be
                                                       (A) Provide consultation and                         received by DOT/OSDBU no later than                   applicant should describe their strategy
                                                    technical assistance in planning,                       March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern                     to obtain support and collaboration on
                                                    implementing and evaluating activities                  Standard Time (EST).                                  SBTRC activities from DOT grantees and
                                                    under this announcement.                                                                                      recipients, transportation prime
                                                       (B) Provide orientation and training to              4. Selection Criteria                                 contractors and subcontractors, the
                                                    the applicant organization.                             4.1    General Criteria                               SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s
                                                       (C) Monitor SBTRC activities,                          OSDBU will award the cooperative                    Minority Business Development Centers
                                                    cooperative agreement compliance, and                                                                         (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired
                                                                                                            agreement on a best value basis, using
                                                    overall SBTRC performance.                                                                                    Executives (SCORE), Procurement
                                                                                                            the following criteria to rate and rank
                                                       (D) Assist SBTRC to develop or                                                                             Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs),
                                                                                                            applications:
                                                    strengthen its relationships with federal,                Applications will be evaluated using                Small Business Development Centers
                                                    state, and local transportation                                                                               (SBDCs), State DOTs, and State highway
                                                                                                            a point system (maximum number of
                                                    authorities, other technical assistance                                                                       supportive services contractors. In
                                                                                                            points = 100);
                                                    organizations, and DOT grantees.                                                                              rating this factor, OSDBU will consider
                                                                                                            • Approach and strategy (25 points)                   the extent to which the applicant
                                                       (E) Facilitate the exchange and
                                                                                                            • Linkages (25 points)                                demonstrates ability to be
                                                    transfer of successful program activities
                                                                                                            • Organizational Capability (25 points)               multidimensional. The applicant must
                                                    and information among all SBTRC                         • Staff Capabilities and Experience (15
                                                    regions.                                                                                                      demonstrate that they have the ability to
                                                                                                              points)                                             access a broad range of supportive
                                                       (F) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/                      • Cost Proposal (10 points)
                                                    OSDBU materials and other relevant                                                                            services to effectively serve a broad
                                                    transportation related information for                  (A) Approach and Strategy (25 Points)                 range of transportation-related small
                                                    dissemination.                                                                                                businesses within their respective
                                                                                                               The applicant must describe their                  geographical region. Emphasis will also
                                                       (G) Maintain effective communication                 strategy to achieve the overall mission
                                                    with the SBTRC and inform them of                                                                             be placed on the extent to which the
                                                                                                            of the SBTRC as described in this                     applicant identifies a clear outreach
                                                    transportation news and contracting                     solicitation and service the small
                                                    opportunities to share with small                                                                             strategy related to the identified needs
                                                                                                            business community in their entire                    that can be successfully carried out
                                                    businesses in their region.                             geographic regional area. The applicant
                                                       (H) Provide all required forms to be                                                                       within the period of this agreement and
                                                                                                            must also describe how the specific                   a plan for involving the Planning
                                                    used by the SBTRC for reporting                         activities outlined in Section 2.1 will be
                                                    purposes under the program.                                                                                   Committee in the execution of that
                                                                                                            implemented and executed in the                       strategy.
                                                       (I) Perform an annual performance                    organization’s regional area. OSDBU
                                                    evaluation of the SBTRC. Satisfactory                   will consider the extent to which the                 (C) Organizational Capability (25 Points)
                                                    performance is a condition of continued                 proposed objectives are specific,                        The applicant must demonstrate that
                                                    participation of the organization as an                 measurable, time-specific, and                        they have the organizational capability
                                                    SBTRC and execution of all option                       consistent with OSDBU goals and the                   to meet the program requirements set
                                                    years.                                                  applicant organization’s overall mission.             forth in Section 2. The applicant
                                                    3. Submission of Proposals                              OSDBU will give priority consideration                organization must have sufficient
                                                                                                            to applicants that demonstrate                        resources and past performance
                                                    3.1   Format for Proposals                              innovation and creativity in their                    experience to successfully provide
                                                      Each proposal must be submitted to                    approach to assist small businesses to                outreach to the small business
                                                    DOT’s OSDBU in the format set forth in                  become successful transportation                      transportation resources in their
                                                    the application form attached as                        contractors and increase their ability to             geographical area and carry out the
                                                    Appendix A to this announcement.                        access DOT contracting opportunities                  mission of the SBTRC. In rating this
                                                                                                            and financial assistance programs.                    factor, OSDBU will consider the extent
                                                    3.2 Address; Number of Copies;
                                                                                                            Applicants must also submit the                       to which the applicant’s organization
                                                    Deadlines for Submission
                                                                                                            estimated direct costs, other than labor,             has recent, relevant and successful
                                                       Any eligible organization, as defined                to execute their proposed strategy.                   experience in advocating for and
                                                    in Section 1.6 of this announcement,                    OSDBU will consider the quality of the                addressing the needs of small
                                                    will submit only one proposal per                       applicant’s plan for conducting program               businesses. Applicants will be given
                                                    region for consideration by OSDBU.                      activities and the likelihood that the                points for demonstrated past
                                                       Applications must be double spaced,                  proposed methods will be successful in                transportation-related performance. The
                                                    and printed in a font size not smaller                  achieving proposed objectives at the                  applicant must also describe technical
                                                    than 12 points. Applications will not                   proposed cost.                                        and administrative resources it plans to
                                                    exceed 35 single-sided pages, not                                                                             use in achieving proposed objectives. In
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    including any requested attachments.                    (B) Linkages (25 Points)                              their description, the applicant must
                                                    All pages should be numbered at the top                    The applicant must describe their                  describe their facilities, computer and
                                                    of each page. All documentation,                        established relationships within their                technical facilities, ability to tap into
                                                    attachments, or other information                       geographic region and demonstrate their               volunteer staff time, and a plan for
                                                    pertinent to the application must be                    ability to coordinate and establish                   sufficient matching alternative financial
                                                    included in a single submission.                        effective networks with DOT grant                     resources to fund the general and
                                                    Proposal packages must be submitted                     recipients and local/regional technical               administrative costs of the SBTRC. The
                                                    electronically to OSDBU at SBTRC@                       assistance agencies to maximize                       applicant must also describe their


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00082   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1


                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices                                                 6583

                                                    administrative and financial                            strategy and costs must be reasonable in              applicant’s proposed SBTRC in advancing
                                                    management staff. It will be the                        relation to project objectives. The                   the program goals.
                                                    responsibility of the successful                        portion of the submitted budget funded                  • The applicant will describe specific
                                                    candidate to not only provide the                       by OSDBU cannot exceed the ceiling                    outreach needs of transportation-related
                                                    services outlined herein to small                       outlined in Section 1.3: Description of               small businesses in the applicant’s region
                                                                                                                                                                  and how the SBTRC will address the
                                                    businesses in the transportation                        Competition of this RFP per fiscal year.
                                                                                                                                                                  identified needs.
                                                    industry, but to also successfully                      Applicants are encouraged to provide
                                                    manage and maintain their internal                      in-kind costs and other innovative cost               4. Approach and Strategy
                                                    financial, payment, and invoicing                       approaches.                                              • Describe the applicant’s plan of action/
                                                    process with their financial                                                                                  strategy for conducting the program in terms
                                                    management offices. OSDBU will place                    4.2 Scoring of Applications
                                                                                                                                                                  of the tasks to be performed.
                                                    an emphasis on capabilities of the                        A review panel will score each                         • Describe the specific services or
                                                    applicant’s financial management staff.                 application based upon the evaluation                 activities to be performed and how these
                                                    Additionally, a site visit may be                       criteria listed above. Points will be                 services/activities will be implemented.
                                                    required prior to award for those                       given for each evaluation criteria                       • Describe innovative and creative
                                                    candidates that are being strongly                      category, not to exceed the maximum                   approaches to assist small businesses to
                                                    considered. If necessary, a member of                   number of points allowed for each                     become successful transportation contractors
                                                    the OSDBU team will contact those                       category. Proposals which are deemed                  and increase their ability to access DOT
                                                    candidates to schedule the site visits                  non–responsive, do not meet the                       contracting opportunities and financial
                                                                                                                                                                  assistance programs.
                                                    prior to the award of the agreement.                    established criteria, or incomplete at the
                                                                                                                                                                     • Estimated direct costs, other than labor,
                                                                                                            time of submission will be disqualified.
                                                    (D) Staff Capability and Experience (15                   OSDBU will perform a responsibility
                                                                                                                                                                  to execute the proposed strategy.
                                                    Points)                                                 determination of the prospective                      5. Linkages
                                                       The applicant organization must                      awardee in the region, which may                         • Describe established relationships within
                                                    provide a list of proposed personnel for                include a site visit, before awarding the             the geographic region and demonstrate the
                                                    the project, with salaries, fringe benefit              cooperative agreement.                                ability to coordinate and establish effective
                                                    burden factors, educational levels and                                                                        networks with DOT grant recipients and
                                                    previous experience clearly delineated.                 4.3 Conflicts of Interest                             local/regional technical assistance agencies.
                                                    The applicant’s project team must be                       Applicants must submit signed                         • Describe the strategy to obtain support
                                                    well-qualified, knowledgeable, and able                 statements by key personnel and all                   and collaboration on SBTRC activities from
                                                    to effectively serve the diverse and                    organization principals indicating that               DOT grantees and recipients, transportation
                                                    broad range of small businesses in their                they, or members of their immediate                   prime contractors and subcontractors, the
                                                    geographical region. The Executive                      families, do not have a personal,                     SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce’s
                                                    Director and the Project Director shall                 business or financial interest in any                 Minority Business Development Centers
                                                    be deemed key personnel. Detailed                                                                             (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired Executives
                                                                                                            DOT-funded transportation project, nor
                                                                                                                                                                  (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance
                                                    resumes must be submitted for all                       any relationships with local or state
                                                                                                                                                                  Centers (PTACs), Small Business
                                                    proposed key personnel and outside                      transportation agencies that may have                 Development Centers (SBDCs), State DOTs,
                                                    consultants and subcontractors.                         the appearance of a conflict of interest.             and State highway supportive services
                                                    Proposed key personnel must have                                                                              contractors.
                                                    detailed demonstrated experience                        APPENDIX A
                                                                                                                                                                     • Describe the outreach strategy related to
                                                    providing services similar in scope and                 Format for Proposals for the Department of            the identified needs that can be successfully
                                                    nature to the proposed effort. The                      Transportation Office of Small and                    carried out within the period of this
                                                    proposed Project Director will serve as                 Disadvantaged Business Utilization’s Small            agreement and a plan for involving the
                                                    the responsible individual for the                      Business Transportation Resource Center               Planning Committee in the execution of that
                                                    program. 100% of the Project Director’s                 (SBTRC) Program                                       strategy.
                                                    time must be dedicated to the SBTRC.                      Submitted proposals for the DOT, Office of
                                                                                                            Small and Disadvantaged Business                      6. Organizational Capability
                                                    Both the Executive Director and the
                                                    Project Director must be located on-site.               Utilization’s Small Business Transportation              • Describe recent and relevant past
                                                                                                            Resource Center Program must contain the              successful performance in addressing the
                                                    In this element, OSDBU will consider                    following 12 sections and be organized in the         needs of small businesses, particularly with
                                                    the extent to which the applicant’s                     following order:                                      respect to transportation-related small
                                                    proposed Staffing Plan; (a) clearly meets                                                                     businesses.
                                                    the education and experience                            1. Table of Contents
                                                                                                                                                                     • Describe internal technical, financial
                                                    requirements to accomplish the                             Identify all parts, sections and attachments       management, and administrative resources.
                                                    objectives of the cooperative agreement;                of the application.
                                                                                                                                                                     • Propose a plan for sufficient matching
                                                    (b) delineates staff responsibilities and               2. Application Summary                                alternative financial resources to fund the
                                                    accountability for all work required and;                  Provide a summary overview of the                  general and administrative costs of the
                                                    (c) presents a clear and feasible ability               following:                                            SBTRC.
                                                    to execute the applicant’s proposed                        • The applicant’s proposed SBTRC region            7. Staff Capability and Experience
                                                    approach and strategy.                                  and city and key elements of the plan of
                                                                                                            action/strategy to achieve the SBTRC                    • List proposed key personnel, their
                                                    (E) Cost Proposal (10 Points)                           objectives.                                           salaries and proposed fringe benefit factors.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                      Applicants must submit the total                         • The applicant’s relevant organizational            • Describe the education, qualifications
                                                                                                            experience and capabilities.                          and relevant experience of key personnel.
                                                    proposed cost of establishing and
                                                                                                                                                                  Attach detailed resumes.
                                                    administering the SBTRC in the                          3. Understanding of The Work                            • Proposed staffing plan. Describe how
                                                    applicant’s geographical region for a 12                   Provide a narrative which contains specific        personnel are to be organized for the program
                                                    month period, inclusive of costs funded                 project information as follows:                       and how they will be used to accomplish
                                                    through alternative matching resources.                    • The applicant will describe its                  program objectives. Outline staff
                                                    The applicant’s budget must be                          understanding of the OSDBU’s SBTRC                    responsibilities, accountability and a
                                                    adequate to support the proposed                        program mission and the role of the                   schedule for conducting program tasks.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00083   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1


                                                    6584                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Notices

                                                    8. Cost Proposal                                        request the Office of Management and                     Abstract: In accordance with Public
                                                       • Outline the total proposed cost of                 Budget’s (OMB) approval to renew an                   Law 95–507, an amendment to the
                                                    establishing and administering the SBTRC in             information collection. The collection                Small Business Act and the Small
                                                    the applicant’s geographical region for a 12            involves the use of the SBTRC Regional                Business Investment Act of 1953,
                                                    month period, inclusive of costs funded                 Field Offices Intake Form (DOT F 4500).               OSDBU is responsible for the
                                                    through alternative matching resources.                 On November 12, 2015, OSDBU                           implementation and execution of DOT
                                                    Clearly identify the portion of the costs
                                                                                                            published a 60-day notice in the Federal              activities on behalf of small businesses,
                                                    funded by OSDBU.
                                                       • Provide a brief narrative linking the cost         Register (Vol. 80, No. 218) (Formerly                 in accordance with Sections 8, 15 and
                                                    proposal to the proposed strategy.                      Docket Number DOT–OST–2012–0080),                     31 of the Small Business Act (SBA), as
                                                                                                            informing the public of OSDBU’s                       amended. The Office of Small and
                                                    9. Proof of Tax Exempt Status                                                                                 Disadvantaged Business Utilization also
                                                                                                            intention to extend an approved
                                                    10. Assurances Signature Form                           information collection. The collection                administers the provisions of Title 49, of
                                                      Complete the attached Standard Form                   involves the use of the Regional Field                the United States Code, Section 332, the
                                                    424B ASSURANCES-NON-CONSTRUCTION                        Offices Intake Form (DOT F 4500),                     Minority Resource Center (MRC) which
                                                    PROGRAMS identified as Attachment 1.                    which documents the type of assistance                includes the duties of advocacy,
                                                                                                            provided to each small business that is               outreach, and financial services on
                                                    11. Certification Signature Forms
                                                                                                            enrolled in the program database. The                 behalf of small and disadvantaged
                                                      Complete form DOTF2307–1 DRUG-FREE                                                                          businesses and those certified under
                                                    WORKPLACE ACT CERTIFICATION FOR a
                                                                                                            information will be used to ascertain
                                                                                                            whether the program is providing                      CFR 49 parts 23 and or 26 as
                                                    GRANTEE OTHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL
                                                    identified as attachment 2 and Form                     services to its constituency, the small               Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
                                                    DOTF2308–1 CERTIFICATION REGARDING                      business community, and is done so in                 (DBE).
                                                    LOBBYING FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS,                         a fair and equitable manner. The                         SBTRC’s Regional Field Offices will
                                                    LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE                                  information collected is necessary to                 collect information on small businesses,
                                                    AGREEMENTS identified as Attachment 3.                  determine whether small businesses are                which includes Disadvantaged Business
                                                                                                            participating in DOT funded and DOT                   Enterprise (DBE), Women-Owned Small
                                                    Signed Conflict of Interest Statements
                                                                                                            assisted opportunities.                               Business (WOB), Small Disadvantaged
                                                       The statements must say that they, or                                                                      Business (SDB), 8(a), Service Disabled
                                                    members of their immediate families, do not                We are required to publish this notice
                                                                                                            in the Federal Register by the                        Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB),
                                                    have a personal, business or financial interest
                                                    in any DOT-funded transportation projects,              Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                      Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB),
                                                    nor any relationships with local or state               Public Law 104–13.                                    HubZone, and types of services they
                                                    transportation agencies that may have the                                                                     seek from the Regional Field Offices.
                                                                                                            DATES: Written comments should be                     Services and responsibilities of the
                                                    appearance of a conflict of interest.
                                                                                                            submitted by: March 9, 2016.                          Field Offices include business analysis,
                                                    12. Standard Form 424
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: Your comments should be                    general management and technical
                                                      Complete Standard Form 424 Application                identified by Docket No. DOT–OST–                     assistance and training, business
                                                    for Federal Assistance identified as                    2015–0221 and may be submitted                        counseling, outreach services/
                                                    Attachment 4.
                                                      PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL FORMS
                                                                                                            through one of the following methods:                 conference participation, short-term
                                                    HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED                          • Office of Management and Budget,                 loan and bond assistance. The
                                                    OFFICIAL WHO CAN LEGALLY                                Attention: Desk Officer for U.S.                      cumulative data collected will be
                                                    REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION.                             Department of Transportation, Office of               analyzed by the OSDBU to determine
                                                      Issued in Washington, DC, January 20,                 Information and Regulatory Affairs,                   the effectiveness of services provided,
                                                    2016.                                                   Office of Management and Budget,                      including counseling, outreach, and
                                                    Brandon Neal,                                           Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th                  financial services. Such data will also be
                                                    Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged             Street NW., Washington, DC 20503.                     analyzed by the OSDBU to determine
                                                    Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary,             • Email: oira_submission@                          agency effectiveness in assisting small
                                                    U.S. Department of Transportation.                      omb.eop.gov.                                          businesses to enhance their
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–02368 Filed 2–5–16; 8:45 am]                 • Fax: (202) 395–5806. Attention:                  opportunities to participate in
                                                                                                            DOT/OST Desk Officer.                                 government contracts and subcontracts.
                                                    BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
                                                                                                                                                                     The Regional Field Offices Intake
                                                                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                  Form, (DOT F 4500) is used to enroll
                                                                                                            Michelle Harris, Office of Small and
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                                                                  small business clients into the program
                                                                                                            Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
                                                                                                                                                                  in order to create a viable database of
                                                    [Docket No. DOT–OST–2015–0221 (Formerly                 Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department
                                                                                                                                                                  firms that can participate in government
                                                    Docket Number DOT–OST–2012–0080)]                       of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey                    contracts and subcontracts, especially
                                                                                                            Avenue SE., Room W56–444,                             those projects that are transportation
                                                    Agency Requests for Renewal of a                        Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366–2253                  related. Each area on the fillable pdf
                                                    Previously Approved Information                         or michelle.harris@dot.gov (email).                   form must be filled in electronically by
                                                    Collection: Small Business                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            the Field Offices and submitted every
                                                    Transportation Resource Center                             Title: U.S. Department of                          quarter to OSDBU. The Offices will
                                                    (SBTRC) Regional Field Offices Intake                   Transportation, Office of Small and                   retain a copy of each Intake Form for
                                                    Form (DOT F 4500)                                       Disadvantaged Business Utilization                    their records. The completion of the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    AGENCY: Office of Small and                             (OSDBU).                                              form is used as a tool for making
                                                    Disadvantaged Business Utilization                         Affected Public: Representatives of                decisions about the needs of the
                                                    (OSDBU), Office of the Secretary of                     OSDBU’s SBTRC Regional Field Offices                  business, such as; referral to technical
                                                    Transportation (OST), DOT.                              and the Small Business community on                   assistance agencies for help, identifying
                                                    ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
                                                                                                            a national basis.                                     the type of profession or trade of the
                                                                                                               Type of Request: Extension of a                    business, the type of certification that
                                                    SUMMARY:The OSDBU invites the public                    Currently Approved Collection of                      the business holds, length of time in
                                                    to comment about our intention to                       Information.                                          business, and location of the firm. This


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:51 Feb 05, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00084   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08FEN1.SGM   08FEN1



Document Created: 2016-02-06 00:24:23
Document Modified: 2016-02-06 00:24:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Funding Availability for the Southwest Region SBTRC.
DatesComplete Proposals must be electronically submitted to OSDBU via email on or before March 25, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non- responsive and will not be reviewed. The applicant is advised to request delivery receipt notification for email submissions. DOT plans to give notice of award for the competed region on or before April 4, 2016, by 6:00 p.m. (EST).
ContactFor further information concerning this notice, contact Mr. Adam Dorsey, Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-1930. Email: [email protected]v.
FR Citation81 FR 6578 

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR